Check out this throwback video from a few years ago about Upward Basketball

OPERATING FUND

Please see a summary for the three months ended March 31 for the operating fund below:

The above numbers are for the operating fund which do not include any amounts received or spent for any of the separate designated funds of the church. The revenues for 2025 are higher than for this same period in 2024 as we were blessed to have a few families pay their entire 2025 pledge at the beginning of the year. Expenses for 2025 are higher than 2024, which was expected, and are on budget for this period.  

As with any organization some expenses are regular and predictable such as payroll and others can change substantially each month such as repairs and maintenance. Revenue for the church consists primarily of contributions which also vary as to when they are received from year-to-year. Additionally, the church uses the cash-basis of accounting meaning that it records its revenue and expenses when cash is either received or paid rather than when revenue is earned or expenses are incurred which can affect the comparability of amounts, between years.

OTHER WAYS TO FINANCIALLY GIVE TO OUR CHURCH

Maximizing Your Minimum

It isn’t often you get much encouragement to give the minimum in anything. When I was younger, I never heard a coach tell me to do the minimum. Nor can I remember any pastor preach about doing the minimum. However, there is at least one important time when giving the minimum is a very good thing. Not only should you not feel guilty about it—I am actually encouraging it.

Of course, I am talking about your retirement account’s Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Many of us with retirement accounts, once we hit our 70s, are required to receive a minimum amount from our retirement plan (401k, 403b, or IRAs). No doubt there are many in your congregation who receive this disbursement every year. 

One of the excellent ways to give money is to roll all, or a portion, of our RMD directly from our retirement account to our church. In this way, you can give money you might already have planned to give, but the amount may be non-taxable. Not only can you give your annual pledge that way, but if your church has special needs from time to time, you can use your RMD to help with that. What a blessing to give a gift without claiming it as “income” for tax purposes. That is what I call maximizing your minimum. 

The key to this kind of gift is that the giver never receives the money directly. If you receive the distribution, then write a check to the church, you will pay taxes. Only by rolling it over directly will you escape tax consequences.

As we approach another challenging year, it may be that folks in your congregation will be considering what to do with their RMD. Be sure to let folks know that they have this option of giving to their church.

So, go ahead. Don’t feel bad. Even God smiles when you give this minimum.



Glenn Howell, Director of Development

Heartland Methodist Foundation

If you have any questions about giving from your retirement plans, please contact Julie Tillman jtillman@fishersumc.org or Greg Arnott garnott1958@mac.com.

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